Youth Care Specialist (2nd or 3rd Shift)

OhioGuidestone • Berea, OH

14d • Onsite

About The Position

OhioGuidestone is hiring Youth Care Specialists to support residents at its residential Campus, which provides out-of-home care for boys and girls with complex trauma, mental health needs, academic struggles, and serious emotional and behavioral concerns. Staff work with placing agencies and caregivers to help youth transition back into permanent living situations. The position is available on 2nd shift part-time or full-time, or 3rd shift full-time.

The Youth Care Specialist is an integral member of the Residential Treatment team. The role involves building nurturing relationships with residents and staff, maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment, providing crisis intervention, and supporting residents’ daily routines and development. Specialists document care, participate in supervision and training, and work across the residential cottage, campus, and community.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• At least 1 year of experience working with high-risk or at-risk youth, in corrections, or with a mental health population.
• Effective interpersonal skills, including the ability to speak effectively with individuals and groups.
• Ability to exercise discretion and sound professional judgment.
• Strong organizational skills, ability to manage multiple priorities with attention to detail, and ability to work independently.
• Ability to maintain relevant and timely documentation.
• Computer literacy, including Windows applications, Microsoft Office Suite, and electronic health records.
• Ability to physically restrain residents of varying ages, heights, and weights using the agency-approved behavioral safety system.
• Ability to access work locations, offices, and homes as necessary, including ascending and descending stairs.
• Valid Ohio driver’s license, safe driving record, and valid insurance.
• Successful completion of required pre-employment drug screening, physical, TB test, and background screening.
• Ability to work days, evenings, holidays, and/or weekends as needed to meet client needs.

Nice To Haves

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Mental Health, Social Work, Criminal Justice, Youth Development, or a related field.
• Crisis intervention training or experience.
• Strong understanding of adolescent development and psychology.
• Knowledge of Trauma Informed Care.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate OhioGuidestone’s values and guiding principles, maintaining high standards of excellence, integrity, and ethics.
• Build and maintain nurturing relationships with residents and staff through clear communication and sound decision-making.
• Maintain professional boundaries with residents.
• Supervise residents during assigned shifts and maintain a safe, supportive, therapeutic environment.
• Respond to environmental, weather-related, and physical-injury emergencies.
• Carry out activities that promote residents’ social skills and personal growth.
• Provide crisis intervention in accordance with residential treatment center policies and procedures.
• Maintain structured daily routines for residents, including wake-up, hygiene, meals, activities, and bedtime.
• Organize and implement activities and educational groups that promote social skills and physical, emotional, and mental development in accordance with treatment plans.
• Participate in weekly supervision with the Program Manager to support proper resident care.
• Complete required documentation, including client incident reports, daily and night logs, communication logs, USDA logs, and other records.
• Complete required in-person and online training by applicable deadlines and maintain active status in required certifications and training courses.
• Use physical techniques correctly as taught in the agency-approved behavioral safety system.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
• Participate as needed in planning and implementing special events, department projects, or seasonal program changes.
• Demonstrate positivity, flexibility, willingness to take on new responsibilities, and positive leadership that supports a team-based workplace and culture of belonging.
• Represent OhioGuidestone positively in contacts with internal and external parties.

Benefits

• Clear career ladder and development paths in various roles.
• Opportunity to earn a monthly bonus for select clinical, therapist, and BHS roles only.
• Competitive medical benefits, including a low-premium medical plan option for an employee or employee plus children.
• Free CEU trainings.
• 10 paid holidays, some exchangeable.
• Flexible work schedules to support work/life balance.
• Flexible work opportunities across career paths, job roles, intern-to-hire opportunities, and locations.
• 401(k) with employer match option.
• Employment Assistance Program (EAP).
• Mileage reimbursement.
• Free licensure supervision.
• Recognition and rewards.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED